In a match of see-sawing momentum, the Demons trailed early before gradually grabbing the ascendancy and kicking clear in the final term to win 16.13 (109) to 11.14 (80).
Melbourne led by just seven points at the final change and its top-eight hopes were in the balance.
But after Tiger Mitch Morton curled one through two minutes in to level the scores, the Demons took control through the middle of the ground and banged home the next four goals.
Melbourne broke out to a 25-point lead before Jake King’s goal gave the Tigers a slim hope, however when Jack Watts found an unmarked Lynden Dunn in the goalquare with five minutes remaining, the unlikely hero booted his fifth to ice the game.
Dunn was outstanding, Aaron Davey’s run in the second half was a big factor as was Tom Scully’s, however full back James Frawley was probably best afield as he held Tiger Jack Riewoldt to just one goal and also provided drive. Liam Jurrah booted four and was a constant threat, as was Brad Green with three.
The Tigers were best served by Daniel Jackson (32 touches) who ran with Colin Sylvia, veteran Ben Cousins (26 disposals, two goals) and the improving Mitch Morton (23 possessions, two goals).
Richmond dominated the opening minutes of the match but it was Jurrah who booted the game’s first, the Demons capatalising on their first inside-50.
Dean Bailey’s men led by a couple of points at the first change but neither side could register consecutive goals until the Tigers benefited from free kicks midway through the second term.
When Morton leapt to take a beauty it was out to 16 points, however two goals in as many minutes to Dunn and one on the stroke of half-time to Green cut the margin to just a point at the long break.
A frenetic third term had plenty of intensity and got fans of both teams off their seats.
Riewoldt was benched midway through the quarter as Frawley continued his superb shut-down role, but the Tiger forward returned to boot his first and keep his team within a kick.
Dunn stepped up on the three-quarter-time siren to roost home a long-range bomb and extend the margin to seven points, although it all boiled down to the final term.
And Melbourne had the answers, keeping alive its finals prospects and setting up a tantalising duel with Hawthorn next week.
Melbourne 3.1 7.5 10.10 16.13 (109)
Richmond 2.5 7.6 9.9 11.14 (80)
GOALS
Melbourne: Dunn 5, Jurrah 4, Green 3, Wonaeamirri, Jones, Watts, Jamar
Richmond: Cousins 2, White 2, Graham 2, Morton 2, King 2, Riewoldt
BEST
Melbourne: Frawley, Jones, Davey, Dunn, Scully, Green, Jurrah, Bruce
Richmond: Cousins, Morton, Jackson, Graham, Moore, Newman
INJURIES
Melbourne: Brent Moloney (corked thigh) replaced in selected side by Nathan Jones
Richmond: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Vozzo, Schmitt, Jennings
Official crowd: 45,844 at MCG
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
